Trailer



Oct. 26, 1948.. c. c. STUART TRAILER I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1945 ZVEgTQR.

D I, x z I I I v I Oct; 26, 1948. c. c. sTuAlT 2,452,270

I TRAILER Filed March 5, 1945 2 sheetysheet 2 Patented Oct. 26, "1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAILER Clarence 0. Stuart, Dearborn, Mich., assignor to Traffic Transport Engineering, Inc., Dearborn, Mich., a corporation or Michigan Apbliatidi'l'MBLiQh 5, 1945, serial No. 581,063

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a trailer and method or loading the same.

It is an object of this inventionto produce a trailer for carrying a plurality of automotive vehicle chassis, such, for example, as bus chassis, which is of simple structure, easy to load and unload, and which is economical of space and more efiicient than trailers presently in use be cause my trailer is capable of carrying a greater number of bus chassis'tha'n such trailers now in use.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing my trailer fully loaded.

Fig. 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my trailer showing the first step in the loading of my trailer.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the second step in the loading of my trailer.

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional'view of the foldable track for supporting the rear end of the last bus chassis to be loaded.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the track.

Referring more particularly to the drawings there is shown a motor tractor I and a trailer generally designated 2. The trailer 2 can be made from suitable material, but preferably is made from a structural metal such as steel.

' The trailer'comp'rises a top frame 3 and a bot tom frame 4. Top'f-rame 3 is supported at each side upon bottom'frame '4 by posts 5 and reln forced by diagonal braces '6. Posts 5 and braces 6 are fixed to the top and bottom frames by welding and the joints are also reinforced by gusset plates 8 which are also welded to the posts braces and frames. The'frames '3 and 4, posts 5 and braces 6 can be made from structural metal or steel having any suitable cross-section to give it sufficient strength for its intended use. For example, these members can be of rectangular or tubular section of maximum strength The top frame member 3 is provided with a pair of parallel tracks 9 which extend lengthwise thereof and may be fixed to the frame 3; The lower frame member 2 is also prov ded with a pair of parallel traclr 'members m which extend longitud nally along frame yerti-callvbelnw. and a allel to, tracks 9. Tracks l9 preferably are fixed toframe 4.

H Positioned between top tracks 9 and bottom tracks Ill are twointermediate trackscomnrising sections H and [2. Tracks H. 2 arelparallel to each other and positioned between, and parallel to, tr'acks 9 and I0. Tracks l l are each hinged to two vertical posts 5 as at l3, so that they can be-folded upwardlyagainst the innersideso'f posts 5 during the loading of motor vehicles posts 5 during the loading of motor vehicle chassis A. In lowered position each track section H issupportcd by a brace l4 hinged to swing about a vertical axis l5 outwardly of the vehicleso that they clear lower track-s H1. The rear ends 16 of upper track members 9 and the rear ends H .of track sections it terminate equidistant from end i8 of bottom frame member 4, that is, equidistant from the point at which track members T2 are h ed. c

Although the track members 12' are preferably disconnectably hinged at their rear ends as at i8 to, or adjacent the rear end of, the lower frame member 4, the important point is that track sections :2 should be of such a length that in lowered position they cooperate with track sections to form an intermediate track for supporting intermediate motor chassis .C and in their elevated position, Fig. 4, they serve as'a ramp up which motor chassis B can be run to load the same on to upper tracks 9. V The forward end of track section i2 is -provided with a transverse opening l9 and the rear ends of track sections H and tracks .9 are bifurcated as at 20 to receive the forward endsof ftraclg sec tion H2; The bifurcated ends 'ill of tracks Band I! are provided with holes 2i, A Thus, when the rear ends of either tracks 9 or I l are aligned with the forward ends of tracks l2, a bolt 22 can :be passed through eyes 2| and holes f9 to conne'ct the forward ends of sections l2 when elevated to the rear ends of tracks 9 and when lowered to the rear ends of tracks i]. h g

The loading ofiny traileris illustrated in t he drawings. My trailer 2 is adapted to carry thi'ee motor chassis which, as shown, are, bus chassis A, B and C. Either chassis A or B can be loaded first. As herein shown. Fig. 3, chassis is being run on to the lower tracks l0. Before running chassis A on to the lower tracks In, track sections H are pivoted upwardly into the dotted line position. Fig. 5. The support brackets M are folded o ardly to clear tracks 10 so that chassisA will have a clear path as it isrolled forwardly and loaded on my trailer and hinges I8 are disconnected so that track sections I2 can bc removed.

After chassis A hasbeen loaded, then track sections 12 are hinged at-their rear ends by hinges It! to the rear end of lower framed and at their forward ends to the rear end's ei upper tracks 9.

This position of sections l-2 is shown inFigL The trailer is now ready for the loading of chassis B which i rail or, d en e t ac e io s l which .now from a ramp, andon to tracits 9 in position above chassis A, as shown in Fig. 4. Brackets H are now swung inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5 and track sections ll swung down to chassis supporting position. Brackets l4 support the lowered track sections ll. Pins 2! are removed and track sections l2 are now swung down abgut hinges la and their forward ends connectd'jby' pinsi 2 2-to the rear ends of lowered track sections ll; Chassis C is now rolled or backed on to tracks l2, H so that the final position of chassis C is between chassis A and B.

To unload, the reverse of this method is followed; namely, chassis C is first rolled off the trailer track I I, I2, sections 12 are elevated to the rear ends of tracks 9 so that chassis B can be rolled off the trailer and finally track sections l2 are removed and track sections I! and brackets l4 collapsed against the sides of the trailer to permit chassis A to be backed oif the trailer.

[It will be noted that upper tracks 9 and lower tracks "lll are'spa'ced vertically their greatest distance {at the longitudinal mid-section of the trailer and that tracks 9 converge downwardly and forwardly toward tracks l0 so that tracks 9 are closest to tracks ID at the front end of the trailer. flhis'a'rrangement is important because it'permits chassis B to be positioned on top of chassis A within'a minimum height so that the trailer; when loaded, will clear low bridges. Further, by having the mid-section of tracks 9 and I0 spaced further-apart than the forward ends of the tracks, I am able to sandwich the rear end of chassis 0 between the rear ends of chassis A and B without requiring any greater overall height than is required at the forward end of the trailer where thefront end of chassis B is positioned over the front end of chassis A. It will also be noted that the rear ends of tracks I 0 and tracks! I, I 2 converge'toward the rear end of the trailer.

Iclaim: I

1. A vehicle adapted for the transporting of automotive vehicle chassis comprising a frame, a pairof parallel upper tracks mounted on said frame, a pair of parallel lower tracks mounted on said'frame, the said upper tracks converging downwardly at their forward ends toward the forward ends 'of said lower tracks, the lower tracks extending rearwardly beyond the upper tracks; and a pair of intermediate parallel tracks having a' portion positioned below the rear portion's'o'f said-uppertracks and between the rear portions of said upper tracks and the lower tracks, said intermediate tracks extending substantiallyboynd the rear ends of the upper tracks and converging downwardly toward the rear end of the v'ehicle with the rear ends of said lower tracks, saidiinterm ediate tracks being movably mounted on said frame so as to be shiftable to a positionclear of said lower tracks when it is desired to load a vehicle'chassis on said lower tracks whereby a vehicle chassis can be positioned on the upper track; a second vehicle chassis posimane-abs thelowertrack beneath the first vehi clebhassis and thereafter a third vehicle chassis can be positioned on the intermediate track with a portion of the third vehicle chassis sandwiched between the rear portion of the first and second vehicle chassis and with the remainder of the thirdvehicle chassis projecting rearwardly of the other two vehicle chassis.

2. A vehicle adapted for the transporting of automotive vehiclefchassis comprising a frame, a pair of parallel lower tracks mounted on said frame, a pair of parallel upper tracks mounted on said frame vertically above the lower tracks and spaced a greater distance from the lower tracks at the mid-section of said vehicle than at the forward end of said vehicle, the lower tracks extending rearwardly beyond the upper tracks, and a pair of intermediate parallel tracks having a portion positioned below the rearportions of said upper tracks and between the rear portions of said upper tracks and the lower tracks, said intermediate tracks extending substantiall beyond the rear ends of the upper tracks and converging downwardly toward the rear end of the vehicle with the'rear ends of the intermediate tracks positioned adjacent the rear ends of the lower tracks, said intermediate tracks being movably mounted on said frame so as to be shiftable to a position clear of said lower tracks when it is desired to load a vehicl chassis on said lower tracks whereby a vehicle chassis can be positioned on the upper track, a second vehicle. chassis positioned on the lower track beneath the first vehicle chassis and thereafter a third vehicle chassis can be positioned on the intermediate track with a portion of the third vehicle chassis sandwiched between the rear portion of the first and second vehicle chassis and with the remainder of the third vehicle chassis projecting rearwardly of the other two vehicle chassis.

3. A vehicle adapted for the transporting of automotive vehicle chassis comprising a pair of parallel upper tracks, a pair of parallel lower tracks, the said upper tracks converging-downwardly at their forward ends toward the forward ends of said lower tracks, the lower tracks extending rearwardly beyond the upper tracks, and a pair of intermediate parallel tracks between the rear portions ofsaid upper tracks and the lower tracks and extending substantially beyond the rear ends of the upper tracks and converging downwardly toward the rear' endof the vehicle with the rear ends of said lower tracks, said intermediate tracks-eachcomprising front and rear sections, the rear sections terminating at a point adjacent the rear ends ofthe lower tracks, the rear ends of the upper tracks and the rear ends of said front sections terminating at a point equi distant from the rear ends of the rear sections, means for disconnectably connecting the rear ends of the front sections fromthe front ends of the rear sections whereby the rear sections can be elevated w'iththeir front ends adjacent the rear ends of the' upper tracks and the rear ends adjacent the rearends of the lower tracks to serve as ramps for loading avehicle chassis on the upper tracks'whereby a vehicle chassis can be positionedon the upper track, asecond vehicle chassis positioned on the'lower track be neath the first vehicle chassis and a third vehicle chassis can be positioned on the intermediate track with a portion of the third vehicle chassis sandwiched between the rear portion of the first and second vehicle chassis and with the remainder of thethird vehicle chassis projecting rearwardly of the other two vehicle chassis.

la The combinationas set forth in claim} including means for'hinging the front sections of the intermediate tracks so that they can befs'wung into a vertical position clear" of the lower tracks preparatory to loading a vehicle chassis on the lower tracks and whereinthe rear sections of the intermediate tracks are removable also preparatory to loading a vehicle chassison the lower tracks. r

5. In a vehicle adapted for thetransporting of automotive vehicle chassis, a frame, a pair of parallel lower track members mounted on said frame, a second pair of parallel track members mounted on said frame above the lower track members and converging downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle so that the rear ends of thelower and second pairs of track members are adjacent each other, the second mentioned track members when in vehicle supporting position overlying the lower track members, each track of the second pair of track members comprising a front and a rear section, hinge means for supporting said front track sections on said frame so that they can be swung into an upright position to thereby clear the lower tracks preparatory to loading a vehicle chassis on the lower tracks, a third pair of parallel track members mounted on said frame above said aforesaid track members, a hinge connection between the rear end of said frame and the rear end of each of said rear sections, the rear ends of the front sections and the rear ends of the upper tracks terminatin substantially the same distance from the hinged connections at the rear ends of said rear sections whereby the rear sections can be swung from a position where the front ends of the rear sections are adjacent the rear ends of the front sections to a position where the front ends of the rear sections are adjacent the rear ends of the upper tracks, the said rear sections in the first position cooperating with said front sections to support a vehicle chassis and in said second position serving as a ramp for rolling a vehicle chassis upwardly on to the upper track members.

6. A vehicle adapted for transporting automotive vehicle chassis comprising a frame, a pair of parallel upper tracks on said frame, a pair of parallel lower tracks on said frame, said lower tracks extending rearwardly beyond the upper tracks, and a pair of intermediate parallel tracks positioned between said upper and lower tracks, the rear portions of said upper tracks overlying the front portions of said intermediate tracks and the rear portions of said intermediate tracks extending substantially beyond the rear ends of said upper tracks, said intermediate tracks being movably mounted on said frame so as to be shiftable to a position clear of said lower tracks when it is desired to load a vehicle chassis on said lower tracks, whereby a vehicle chassis can be positioned on the upper track, a second vehicle chassis positioned on the lower track beneath the first vehicle chassis and thereafter a third vehicle chassis can be positioned on the intermediate track with a portion of the third vehicl chassis sandwiched between the rear portion of the first and second vehicle chassis and with the remainder of the third vehicle chassis projecting rearwardly of the other two vehicle chassis.

7. A vehicle adapted for transporting automotive vehicle chassis comprising a frame, a pair of parallel upper tracks on said frame, a pair of parallel lower tracks on said frame, said lower tracks extending rearwardly beyond the upper tracks, and a pair of intermediate parallel tracks positioned between said upper and lower tracks and converging downwardly toward the rear end of the vehicle with the rear ends of said lower tracks, the rear portions of said upper tracks overlying the front portions of said intermediate tracks and the rear portions of said intermediate tracks extending substantially beyond the rear ends of said upper tracks, said intermediate tracks being movably mounted on said frame so as to be shiftable to a position clear of said lower tracks when it is desired to load a vehicle chassis on said lower tracks, whereby a vehicle chassis can be positioned on the upper track, a second vehicle chassis positioned on the lower track beneath the first vehicle chassis and a third vehicle chassis can be positioned on the intermediate track with a portion of the third vehicle chassis sandwiched between the rear portion of the first and second vehicle chassis and with the remainder of the third vehicle chassis projecting rearwardly of the other two vehicle chassis.

CLARENCE C. STUART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,809,557 Lishon June 9, 1931 1,894,534 Dolan Jan. 17, 1933 1,958,926 Reid May 15, 1934 2,004,439 Judd June 11, 1935 2,146,567 Dondlinger Feb. 7, 1939 

